Futbol, Argentina!

What a day, what a place!

I am in an indescribable (but I´m working on it!) town called Salta, in Northern Argentina. Today, as you may not know if you are not in Argentina, is THE MATCH, between Ar. and Germany. Everything is blue and white and the noisemarkers have been blowing since yesterday, when we arrived. It is cold but I am braving sandles for the first time, as it has to happen sometime. I have taken about 30 pictures here this mornig, in the hope that if I look at them long enough I will come up with the right description. In the meantime, I do details (my favourite):
The token sentence I am using is: Salta (which means beautiful view) is like a carnival, with a handful of really incredibly beautiful old buildings scattered throughout it. Think Clifton Hill in the face of Niagra Falls, Las Vegas in the middle of its stunning surroundings- but here everything is man made.

I mentioned the candy in B.A, but here it is something different entirely, candy floss, popcorn and ¨"chocolata, uno peso!" is everywhere. Young people and old are sitting around the street, drinking milky coffee and talking.

All the stores close at 1, though it is awfully cold for what one thinks of as siesta. Usually they reopen again at 5 until 9, but today everything in town is shut because we will all be in front of the TV watching the match. Most of the "oppotional activities" were cancelled because no one wants to work. I wonder if they will drink more if they win, or if they lose?

Did I mention the giant pink cathedral at the centre of town? The disporportionate number of stray dogs roaming around (one followed me for over an hour, though I had no food with me)?

Tomorrow we will take the "railway to the clouds", which is actually a bus running along the train tracks (the real train has not run in a year, and I shudder to think what prompted its closure!).
It´s not really that late is it? Must run. Will try to write again soon.

N.